Device and Method for Removing Lipstick

ABSTRACT

A device and method for removing excess lipstick from the lips of the User so as to prevent the lipstick from being applied to teeth is provided. The device includes a base and a working end. The base may be a generally elongated cylindrical member having a housing configured to hold the working end. The working end may be a generally cylindrical member and is configured to be positioned within the opening of a pair of puckered lips wherein the working end is pulled from the puckered lips carrying with it excess lipstick which prevents the lipstick from being applied to the user&#39;s teeth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national stage of PCT/US2020/021565 filedon Mar. 6, 2020, which claims priority of United States PatentApplication No. 62/815,057 filed on Mar. 7, 2019, the contents of whichare incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device and method for removingexcess lipstick.

BACKGROUND

The application of lipstick may result in some of the lipstick beingapplied inadvertently to the user's teeth. This maybe a result of usingtoo much lipstick and/or the lipstick being applied too far inwardlyonto the lips.

It is known to use a cloth to remove the excess lipstick so as toprevent the lipstick from being applied on the teeth. However, such amethod may inadvertently remove lipstick from the lips.

Accordingly it remains desirable to have a device and method forremoving lipstick so as to prevent excessive lipstick from being appliedonto the teeth.

SUMMARY

In one aspect a device for removing excess lipstick from the lips of auser so as to prevent the lipstick from being applied to teeth isprovided. The device includes a base and a working end. The base may bea generally elongated cylindrical member having a housing configured tohold the working end. The working end may be a generally cylindricalmember and is configured to be positioned within the opening of a pairof puckered lips wherein the working end is pulled from the puckeredlips carrying with it excess lipstick which prevents the lipstick frombeing applied to the User's teeth.

In one aspect, the working end includes a roll having a plurality oftissues, each of the plurality of tissues are connected to each aperforation. In such an aspect, an inner surface of the tissues mayinclude an adhesive.

In another aspect, the working end may be removably attached to thebase. In such an aspect, the base includes a compartment for storing asecond roll. The second roll may include a plurality of tissues whichmay be separated from each other by a perforation.

In another aspect, the working end may be axially displaceable withrespect to the base. In such an aspect, base may include a knob that ismechanically coupled to the working end and a displacement mechanismconfigured to translate a rotation of the knob into an axialdisplacement of the working end.

In another aspect, the working end includes a cylindrical bore and alipstick is disposed within the cylindrical bore. In such an aspect, theworking end and the lipstick may be axially displaceable with respect tothe base. The base may include an upper portion and a lower portion. Theupper and lower portions are rotatable and the lower portion ismechanically coupled to the lipstick and the upper portion ismechanically coupled to the working end. The device includes a pair ofdisplacement mechanisms configured to translate a rotation of the upperportion and the lower portion into an axial displacement of therespective working end and lipstick.

In another aspect, the base includes a first open end and a second openend, the working end is disposed in the first open end and a lipstick.The lipstick is disposed in the second open end. The working end may bea generally cylindrical member. The working end may be fixedly mountedto the first open end or may be removable mounted to the first open end.

The working end may include a roll having a plurality of tissues, eachof the plurality of tissues connected to each other by at least oneperforation. In such an aspect, an inner surface of the tissues mayinclude an adhesive.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following description of the illustrative embodiments can beunderstood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherelike structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1a is perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a devicedescribed herein;

FIG. 1b is a view of the device shown in FIG. 1a wherein the working endhas a textured surface;

FIG. 1c is a view of the device shown in FIG. 1a wherein the working endhas a roll;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of adevice described herein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a devicedescribed herein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 3 with theworking end in a retracted position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of adevice described herein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aspect of the device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another aspect of the device shown inFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an isolated view of a working end having a roll according toone or more aspects described herein; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the steps of a method according to one ormore aspects described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure made inreference to the figures provided herein. In one aspect a device andmethod for removing excess lipstick from the lips of the user so as toprevent the lipstick from being applied to teeth is provided. The deviceincludes a base and a working end. The base may be a generally elongatedcylindrical member having a housing configured to hold the working end.The working end may be a generally cylindrical member and is configuredto be positioned within the opening of a pair of puckered lips whereinthe working end is pulled from the puckered lips carrying with it excesslipstick which prevents the lipstick from being applied to the user'steeth.

With reference now to FIG. 1a , a first embodiment of the device 10 isprovided. The device 10 includes a base 12. The base 12 is shown havinga generally cylindrical dimension. Though the base 12 is shown as havinga uniform diameter with a smooth outer surface, it should be appreciatedthat the outer surface of the base 12 may include a textured surface tofacilitate a grip, or may include contours adapted to receive a grip. Asused herein, the term diameter is not meant to limit the body to whichthe diameter references to be a circle or a sphere, but to mean adistance between opposite sides of the body. Accordingly, the body mayassume dimensions other than cylindrical, spherical or the like.

The device 10 includes a working end 14 disposed on a distal end of thebase 12. In one aspect, the working end 14 may be fixed to the distalend of the base 12. The working end 14 may be a cylindrical memberhaving a general uniform diameter smaller than the diameter of the base12. However, it should be appreciated that the shape of the working end14 may deviate without limiting the scope of the appended claims. As anexample, the working end 14 may have a contour so as to widen to abulbous end as shown in FIG. 7.

The working end 14 may be formed of a rigid material suitable for usewithin the body, such material illustratively includes a polymer or ametallic composition such as a metal alloy or a like. The working end 14is shown as having a generally smooth outer surface. However, it shouldbe appreciated that the outer surface of the working end 14 may betextured 14 a to help remove lipstick from the lips, as shown in FIG. 1b.

The device 10 may further include a cover 16. The cover 16 is configuredto be attached to the base 12 so as to protect and enclose the workingend 14. The cover 16 has an opening 16 a on a distal end and is closedon the proximal end by a top wall 16 b. The opening 16 a leads into afirst storage compartment. The first storage compartment is configuredto receive the working end 14. The cover 16 may be attached to the base12 using known attachment mechanism such as a snap fit engagement, ormay include a thread in the inner wall defining the storage compartment16 c which threadingly engages a thread disposed on the base 12.

With reference now to FIG. 1c , another aspect of the device 10 isprovided wherein the device 10 includes a roll 18. In one aspect, theroll 18 is releasably attached to the working end 14 and the working end14 may be fixed to the base 12 or removable attached to the base 12.Alternatively, the roll 18 is fixed to the working end 14 and theworking end 14 may be fixed to the base 12 or removable attached to thebase 12.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an isolated view of an embodiment of theroll 18 is provided. In one aspect, the roll 18 may be a plurality oftissues 20. The tissue 20 is a pliable material configured to removelipstick. It should be appreciated that any such material currently usedor later developed may be adapted for use herein, illustrativelyincluding a charcoal tissue, a rice paper or the like. The tissue 20 maybe treated with a solvent to assist in the removal of lipstick.Preferably such a solvent is approved for ingestion.

The tissues 20 may be configured to be separated from each other. Forexample, a perforation 22 may be disposed between each tissue 20. Theroll 18 may be formed by a plurality of tissues 20 layered on top ofeach other, wherein each of the tissues 20 may be removed from the roll18. In one aspect, an adhesive 24 a may be applied to an inner surface24 of the protective covers so as to removably bond the tissue(s) 20 tothe working end 14. Thus, the tissues 20 may be removed after a singleuse so as to eliminate the need for the User to clean the working end 14after each use. This process continues until all of the tissues 20 havebeen used.

In one aspect, the roll 18 may be removed from the working end 14. Forexample, the roll 18 may be rolled onto a sleeve 26. In one aspect, thesleeve 26 is configured to be mounted onto the working end 14. In anexemplary depiction of a working end 14 adapted for use with the sleeve26, the working end 14 includes a stem 14 b and a head 14 c. The stem 14b is configured to slide within the sleeve 26. The end of the stem 14 bmay be configured to be secured to the base 12. In one example, the stem14 b may include a threaded end configured to be threaded into athreaded bore of the base 12. The stem 14 b has a length longer than thelength of the roll 18 as measured by the axial length of the sleeve 26.As such, the threaded end of the stem 14 b protrudes from the sleeve 26when the roll 18 is mounted thereon and the roll 20 is disposed betweenthe head 14 c and the base 12. In such an aspect, device 10 may beconfigured to receive multiple rolls 18, the rolls 18 replacing a usedroll 18. In another aspect, the roll 18 may be simply rolled onto theworking end 14.

In yet another aspect, the working end 14 is removably attached to thebase 12. In such an aspect, the working end 14 may include the roll 18.In such an aspect, the roll 18 is mounted directly onto the working end14. Thus, when the roll 18 runs out of tissues 20, the empty working end14 is simply replaced with another working end 14 having a roll 18 oftissues 20.

It should be appreciated that the roll 18 shown herein is not limitingbut exemplary in nature. For instance, in one aspect of the roll 18 (notshown), the roll 18 may be have a cylindrical dimension forming a closedend and an open end, so as to be similar to a sock. The roll 18 and maybe pulled from the working end 14 after a first use.

The roll 18 may be desired for users who do not want to clean theworking end 14 after each use. For instance, the roll 18 may bebeneficial in cases the lipstick colors are mixed as a result of thedevice 10 not being thoroughly wiped after each use. Also, the use ofthe roll 18 allows the user to share the device 10 with others withouthaving to worry about spreading contaminants.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the device 10 isprovided. The function of the working end 14 remains the same as withthe first embodiment described above. That is, the working end 14 isconfigured to be inserted into an opening of puckered lips so as toremove excessive lipstick. As such, the working end 14 may be a solitarypiece formed of a rigid material suitable for use within the body, ormay have a roll 18 as described above.

In the second embodiment, the working end 14 is axially displaceablewithin the base 12. FIG. 2 provides an exemplary depiction of adisplacement mechanism 28 configured to axially displacing the workingend 14; however, it should be appreciated that the displacementmechanism 28 for axially displacing the working end 14 is not limited towhat is shown, but may include other known mechanism currently used inthe art.

In one aspect, the displacement mechanism 28 includes a knob 30 fixedlymounted to the base 12. The base 12 includes a second storagecompartment 12 a configured to house the working end 14. Forillustrative purposes, the second storage compartment 12 a is shown ashaving a cylindrical dimension having a diameter that is greater than adiameter of the working end 14. The knob 30 may be rotated in theclockwise and counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by thebidirectional arrow A1. The directional arrow A1 illustrates howrotation of the knob 30 in one direction urges the working end 14 in andout of the second storage compartment 12 a of the base 12.

The knob 30 may be disposed on the proximal end of the base 12. The knob30 is configured to translate a rotary motion of the knob 30 into anaxial displacement of the working end 14. In one aspect, the knob 30 ismechanically coupled to the working end 14 and the displacementmechanism 30 is configured to translate a rotation of the knob 30 intoan axial displacement of the working end 14. The working end 14 is shownas a cylindrical member having a generally uniform diameter that issmaller than the diameter of the circumference of the housing of thebase 12.

The displacement mechanism 28 further includes a threaded bore 14 adisposed within the working end 14. The displacement mechanism furtherincludes a shaft 32 that is fixedly mounted to an interior surface ofthe knob 30. The shaft 32 is threaded and configured to threadinglyengage the threaded bore 14 a of the working end 14.

The knob 30 may include a plurality of ribs 30 b to help the user gripthe knob 30 to help rotate the knob 30. The knob 30 may include athreaded shaft 32 configured to threadingly engage the threaded bore 14a of the working end 14. Thus rotation of the knob 30 in one directionrotates the threaded shaft 32 which engages the threaded bore 14 a so asto axially displace the working end 14 into a fully extended position,and rotation of the knob 30 in the opposite direction moves the workingend 14 into a fully retracted position.

FIG. 2 depicts one benefit of an axially displaceable working end 14 isthe reduction in the height of the device 10. In particular, the cover16 may be shorter relative to the covers 16 shown in FIGS. 1a-1c . Thus,the device 10 is more compact relative to the embodiments shown in FIGS.1a -1 c.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an exemplary depiction of the device 10according to a third embodiment is provided. The device 10 includes alipstick 34. The lipstick 34 is disposed within a bore 36 of the workingend 14.

The base 12 includes an upper portion 38 and a lower portion 40. Theupper and lower portions 38, 40 are rotatable. In one aspect, the lowerportion 38 is mechanically coupled to the lipstick 34 and the upperportion 40 is mechanically coupled to the working end 14. The deviceincludes a pair of displacement mechanisms 28 a, 28 b. Each of the pairof displacement mechanisms 28 a, 28 b is configured to translate arotation of the upper portion 38 and the lower portion 40 into an axialdisplacement of the respective working end 14 and lipstick 34. Anydisplacement mechanism 28 a, 28 b currently known or used or laterdeveloped may be adapted for use herein, illustratively including thedisplacement mechanism 28 having a shaft 32 configured to engage athreaded bore 12 b, as depicted in FIG. 2. Such an adaptation is wellwithin the skills of those skilled in the art.

The lipstick 34 is configured to move between and extended position asshown in FIG. 3 to a retracted position as shown in FIG. 4. Likewise,the working end 14 is configured to move between and a retractedposition as shown in FIG. 3 to an extended position as shown in FIG. 4.As an example, the lower portion 40 may be rotated in the clockwisedirection so as to move the lipstick 34 into the extended position androtation of the upper portion 38 in the counter-clockwise directionmoves the working end 14 into the retracted position.

Accordingly, the device 10 of the third preferred embodiment isconfigured to apply lipstick 34 and remove excessive lipstick 34 fromthe lips. In operation, the user may simply remove the cover 16 andposition the lipstick 34 into the extended position by rotation of thelower portion 40 as shown in FIG. 3. The lower portion 34 is thenrotated in an opposite direction to move the lipstick 34 into theretracted position, wherein the lipstick 34 is seated within the base12. The upper portion 40 is then rotated so as to move the working end14 into the extended position, wherein the working end 14 of the device10 is fitted into the opening of mouth created by the puckered lips. Thelips are then pressed and closed onto the working end 14 and the workingend 14 is pulled out from the mouth carrying with it excess lipstick andmore specifically lipstick which was applied to an interior portion ofthe lips which may inadvertently apply onto the teeth of the user.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-7 a fourth embodiment of the device 10 isprovided. The base 12 includes a first open end 12 a and a second openend 12 b. The first open end 12 a and the second open end 12 b may becylindrical bores. The working end 14 is disposed in the first open end12 a. The working end 14 may be fixed within the first open end 12 a.Alternatively, the working end 14 is removably attached to the firstopen end 12 a.

The device 10 includes a lipstick 34. The lipstick 34 is seated withinthe second open end 12 b. The device 10 may further include a pair ofcovers 16 a, 16 b configured to be removably attached to the respectivefirst open end 12 a and the second open end 12 b of the base 12.

Accordingly, the device 10 may be used to both apply lipstick 34 andremove excessive lipstick 34 as described herein.

With reference first to FIG. 5, an aspect of the fourth embodiment ofthe device 10 showing the working end 14 as a cylindrical member havinga general uniform diameter smaller than the diameter of the base 12. Theworking end 14 may be formed of a rigid material suitable for use withinthe body, such material illustratively includes a polymer or a metalliccomposition such as a metal alloy or a like. The working end 14 is shownas having a generally smooth outer surface. However, it should beappreciated that the outer surface of the working end 14 may be textured14 a to help remove lipstick from the lips, as shown in FIG. 1 b.

With reference now to FIG. 6, another aspect of the fourth embodiment ofthe device is illustrated. In such an aspect, working end 14 includes aroll 18. The roll 18 is releasably attached to the working end 14 andthe working end 14 may be fixed to the base 12 or removable attached tothe base 12. Alternatively, the roll 18 may be fixed to the working end14 and the working end 14 may be fixed to the base 12 or removableattached to the base 12. An exemplary illustration of a roll 18 for useherein is provided with reference to FIG. 8.

As described above, in one aspect, the roll 18 may be a plurality oftissues 20, such as a charcoal tissue, a rice paper or the like. Thetissues 20 may be configured to be separated from each other. Forexample, a perforation 22 may be disposed between each tissue 20. Theroll 18 may be formed by a plurality of tissues 20 layered on top ofeach other, wherein each of the tissues 20 may be removed from the roll18. In one aspect, an adhesive 24 a may be applied to an inner surface24 of the protective covers so as to removably bond the tissue(s) 20 tothe working end 14. Thus, the tissues 20 may be removed after a singleuse so as to eliminate the need for the User to clean the working end 14after each use. This process continues until all of the tissues 20 havebeen used.

In another aspect, the roll 20 may be removed from the working end 14.For example, the roll 20 may be rolled onto a sleeve 26. In one aspect,the sleeve 26 is configured to be mounted onto the working end 14. Insuch an aspect, the device 10 may be configured to receive multiplerolls 18, the rolls 18 replacing a used roll 18. In another aspect, theroll 18 may be simply rolled onto the working end 14.

With reference now to FIG. 7, the working end 14 is made of a rigidmaterial. The working end 14 may be fixed or removably attached to thefirst open end 10 a of the base 10. The working end 14 includes a distalend 14D and a proximal end 14P. The proximal end 14P is disposed withinthe first open end 10 a of the base 12. The distal end 14D has a radiuslarger than the proximal end 14P. A medial portion 14M is generallycentered between the distal end 14D and the proximal end 14P. Thediameter of the working end 14 from the medial portion 14M to theproximal end 14P is generally uniform in diameter. The radius of theworking end 14 increases from the medial portion 14M to the distal end14D. The distal end 14D is larger in diameter than the medial portion14M and is illustratively shown as being bulbous.

FIGS. 5 and 7 shows the working end 14 being generally smooth; however,like with the first preferred embodiment, the outer surface of theworking end 14 may be textured to help remove lipstick from the lips, asshown in FIG. 1b . It should further be appreciated that other aspectsof the device 10 may include a kit having a plurality of working ends 14each of which are removably coupled to the base 12 and different fromeach other. In such an aspect, the user may interchange the working ends14. Thus, the user may choose between a working end 14 having smoothouter surface with a shape as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, a working end14 having a textured surface 14 a as shown in FIG. 1b , or a working end14 with a roll 18 as shown in FIG. 6.

With reference now to FIG. 9 a method 100 for removing an excesslipstick from the lips of the User is provided. The method 100 may beimplemented using the device 10 described above, as indicated in step102. In particular, any of the embodiments or aspects of the embodimentsof the device 10 described above is suitable for use in this method 100.The method 100 includes step 104 of puckering ones lips wherein the lipsare protruded outwardly. The mouth is also opened so as to receive theworking end 14 of the device 10. It should be appreciated that steps 102and 104 are not required to be performed in any particular sequence toachieve the method 100.

The method 100 proceeds to step 106, wherein the working end 14 of thedevice 10 is fitted into the opening of mouth created by the puckeredlips. The method 100 proceeds to step 108, wherein the lips are thenpressed and closed onto the working end 14. The method 100 proceeds tostep 110 wherein the working end 14 is pulled out from the mouthcarrying with it excess lipstick and more specifically lipstick whichwas applied to an interior portion of the lips which may inadvertentlyapply onto the teeth of the user.

It should be appreciated that the method may be implemented using any ofthe embodiments of the device 10 described herein. For instance, theworking end 14 may be a solid monolithic member made of a rigidmaterial, or may include a roller 18 with a plurality of tissues 20.

As such the device 10 prevents lipstick from being inadvertently appliedonto the teeth of the User and eliminates the problem of having lipstickapplied to the base of an index finger as shown in the prior art.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it should be understood that various other changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the describedsubject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the subject matterhave been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized incombination.

1. A device for removing an excess lipstick from a pair of lips so as toprevent the excess lipstick from being transferred onto a user's teeth,the device comprising: a base and a working end, the base is configuredto hold the working end, the working end, the working end is configuredto be positioned within an opening of the pair of lips wherein theworking end is pulled from the pair of lips carrying away the excesslipstick so as to prevent the excess lipstick from being applied to theuser's teeth.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the workingend has a textured outer surface.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 1,further including a cover removably attached to the base so as to coverthe working end.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein theworking end includes a roll having a plurality of tissues, each of theplurality of tissues connected to each other by at least oneperforation.
 5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein theplurality of tissues include an inner surface, the inner surface havingan adhesive.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the workingend is removably attached to the base.
 7. The device as set forth inclaim 6, wherein the base includes a compartment for storing a secondroll, the second roll having a plurality of tissues.
 8. The device asset forth in claim 1, wherein the working end is axially displaceablewith respect to the base.
 9. The device as set forth in claim 8, whereinthe base is mechanically coupled to the working end and a displacementmechanism configured to translate a rotation of the base into an axialdisplacement of the working end.
 10. The device as set forth in claim 8,wherein the working end includes a cylindrical bore and a lipstick isdisposed within the cylindrical bore.
 11. The device as set forth inclaim 10, wherein the lipstick is axially displaceable with respect tothe base.
 12. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the baseincludes a first open end and a second open end, the working end isdisposed in the first open end; and a lipstick.
 13. The device as setforth in claim 12, wherein the working end includes a roll having aplurality of tissues, each of the plurality of tissues connected to eachother by at least one perforation.
 14. The device as set forth in claim13, wherein the plurality of tissues include an inner surface, the innersurface having an adhesive.
 15. The device as set forth in claim 12,wherein the working end includes a bulbous member disposed on a distalend of the working end.
 16. The device as set forth in claim 12, whereinthe working end includes a distal end, a medial portion and a proximalend, the proximal end attached to the base, the distal end having adiameter, larger than a diameter of the medial portion.
 17. A method ofremoving an excessive lipstick from a pair of lips so as to prevent theexcess lipstick from being transferred onto a user's teeth, the methodcomprising the step of: providing a device having a base and a workingend, the base is configured to hold the working end; puckering the pairof lips so as to form an opening; positioning the working end within anopening of the pair of lips; closing the pair of lips onto the workingend; and pulling the device from the closed pair of lips, wherein theworking end carries away the excess lipstick so as to prevent the excesslipstick from being applied to the user's teeth.
 18. The method as setforth in claim 17, wherein the working end has a textured outer surface.19. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the working endincludes a roll having a plurality of tissues, each of the plurality oftissues connected to each other by at least one perforation.
 20. Themethod as set forth in claim 19, wherein the working end is removablyattached to the base.